Tulsans try to follow in Underwood's 'Idol' shoes

By George Lang

Published: February 15, 2008

Television's most popular series is getting a double shot of Oklahoma talent.

Two Tulsa singers — one an area high school student with a long history of performing at school functions, the other a mainstay in the city's alternative music scene — will compete as part of the final 24 contestants of this season's "American Idol.”

Alaina Whitaker, 16, is a student at Tulsa's Metro Christian Academy with a reputation as a singer since elementary school.

And David Cook, 25, has been a player for years in Tulsa area clubs, both with bands such as the Midwest Kings and as a solo artist. His latest disc, "Analog Heart,” was up for Urban Tulsa's "album of the year” honors last year.

Tim Cameron, the school's headmaster, said that Alaina and her older sister, Brittney, now a student at Oklahoma State University, quickly became known at the school for their performing abilities.

"She's obviously a very bright, talented Christian lady,” Cameron said.

"She's always gone to school here, she and her older sister, and they've been a singing duo for many years since they were little girls. Every time we needed somebody to sing the national anthem at the football games or the basketball games, we'd grab her and her sister.”

Cameron said those performances began when Alaina was in early elementary classes, and that the two sisters served as each other's best fan and support system.

Now that she will be competing for top honors on "American Idol,” Cameron said her strong background will serve her well in front of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.

"She doesn't have an ounce of pretentiousness in her,” he said. "She's very talented, and you could tell that she always wanted to do music professionally, so it's not surprising.”

On his MySpace page, Cook wrote about the process of recording his follow-up disc, which was being readied for a March release but is likely to be delayed because of his "Idol” commitments.

"Right now, there are 10 songs,” Cook wrote. "I'm crossing my fingers for an 11th, but time will tell. The album title is still up in the air. ‘Optimistic to a Fault' has been joined by ‘Remember this.' Thoughts, questions concerns?”

Cook and Whitaker were not the only Oklahomans in top contention.

Kyle Ensley of Valliant nearly made the cut, and Cowell openly objected to his dismissal and offered words of encouragement for the young performer, whose stated goal is to be Oklahoma's governor someday.

"I want you to know from me, wholeheartedly, that I completely and wholeheartedly disagree with this decision,” Cowell said.

"I think you would have had something people would have enjoyed, and I'm really disappointed.”

Next week, the top 12 male contestants will be in the hot seat on Tuesday, with the top 12 females competing on Wednesday.

Contributing: The Associated Press

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